Applications for New Awards; Arts in Education National Program, 41491-41495 [2011-17756]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 135 (Thursday, July 14, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 41491-41495]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-17756]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION


Applications for New Awards; Arts in Education National Program

AGENCY: Office of Innovation and Improvement, Department of Education.

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Overview Information

    Arts in Education National Program.
    Notice inviting applications for new awards for fiscal year (FY) 
2011.

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 84.351F.

    Dates:
    Applications Available: July 14, 2011.
    Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: August 15, 2011.

Full Text of Announcement

I. Funding Opportunity Description

    Purpose of Program: The Arts in Education National Program supports 
national level high-quality arts education projects and programs for 
children and youth, with special emphasis on serving students from low-
income families and students with disabilities.
    Priorities: This notice includes one absolute priority and one 
competitive preference priority. We are establishing these priorities 
for the FY 2011 grant competition only, in accordance with section 
437(d)(1) of the General Education Provisions Act (GEPA), 20 U.S.C. 
1232(d)(1).
    Absolute Priority: For FY 2011, this priority is an absolute 
priority. Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(3) we consider only applications that 
meet this priority.
    This priority is:
    Model Projects.
    High-quality projects that are designed to develop and implement, 
or expand, initiatives in arts education and arts integration on a 
national level for pre-kindergarten-through-grade-12 children and 
youth, with special emphasis on serving students from low-income 
families and students with disabilities.
    In order to meet this priority, an applicant must demonstrate that 
the project for which it seeks funding will provide services and 
develop initiatives in multiple schools, school districts, and 
communities throughout the country.
    Competitive Preference Priority: For FY 2011, this priority is a 
competitive preference priority. Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(2)(i) we award 
up to an additional 10 points to an application, depending on how well 
the application meets this priority.
    This priority is:
    Supporting Programs, Practices, or Strategies for which there are 
Strong or Moderate Evidence of Effectiveness.
    Projects that are supported by strong or moderate evidence. A 
project that is supported by strong evidence (as defined in this 
notice) will receive more points than a project that is supported by 
moderate evidence (as defined in this notice).
    Application Requirements:
    A project must describe how it would (a) Serve low-income students 
and students with disabilities; and (b) implement the following 
activities on a national level:
    1. Professional development based on national standards for pre-
kindergarten-through-grade-12 arts educators.

    Note: National standards refers to the arts standards developed 
by the Consortium of National Arts Education Associations. The 
standards outline what students should know and be able to do in the 
arts. These are not Department standards. To view the standards, 
please go to https://www.menc.org/resources/view/the-national-standards-for-arts-education-a-brief-history.

    2. Development and dissemination of instructional materials, 
including online resources, in multiple arts disciplines for arts 
educators.
    3. Arts-based educational programming in music, dance, theater, 
media arts, and visual arts, including folk arts for pre-kindergarten-
through-grade-12 students and arts educators.
    4. Community and national outreach activities that strengthen and 
expand partnerships among schools, school districts, and communities 
throughout the country.
    Definitions:
    As used in this notice--
    Arts means music, dance, theater, media arts, and visual arts, 
including folk arts.
    Arts educator means a teacher or other instructional staff who work 
in music, dance, theater, media arts, or visual arts, including folk 
arts.
    Carefully matched comparison group design means a type of quasi-
experimental study (as defined in this notice) that attempts to 
approximate an experimental study (as defined in this notice). More 
specifically, it is a design in which project participants are matched 
with non-participants based on key characteristics that are thought to 
be related to the outcome. These characteristics include, but are not 
limited to: (1) Prior test scores and other measures of academic 
achievement (preferably, the same measures that the study will use to 
evaluate outcomes for the two groups); (2) Demographic characteristics, 
such as age, disability, gender, English proficiency, ethnicity, 
poverty level, parents' educational attainment, and single- or two-
parent family background; (3) The time period in which the two groups 
are studied (e.g., the two groups are children entering kindergarten in 
the same year as opposed to sequential years); and (4) Methods used to 
collect outcome data (e.g., the same test of reading skills 
administered in the same way to both groups).
    Experimental study means a study that employs random assignment of, 
for example, students, teachers, classrooms, schools, or districts to 
participate in a project being evaluated (treatment group) or not to 
participate in the project (control group). The effect of the project 
is the average difference in outcomes between the treatment and control 
groups.
    Integration means (i) Encouraging the use of high-quality arts 
instruction within other academic content areas, and (ii) strengthening 
the arts as a core academic subject in the school curriculum.
    Interrupted time series design means a type of quasi-experimental 
study (as defined in this notice) in which the outcome of interest is 
measured multiple times before and after the treatment for program 
participants only. If the program had an impact, the outcomes after 
treatment will have a different slope or level from those before 
treatment. That is, the series should show an ``interruption'' of the 
prior situation at the time when the program was implemented. Adding a 
comparison group time series, such as schools not participating in the 
program or schools participating in the program in a different 
geographic area, substantially increases the reliability of the 
findings.\1\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ A single subject or single case design is an adaptation of 
an interrupted time series design that relies on the comparison of 
treatment effects on a single subject or group of single subjects. 
There is little confidence that findings based on this design would 
be the same for other members of the population. In some single 
subject designs, treatment reversal or multiple baseline designs are 
used to increase internal validity. In a treatment reversal design, 
after a pretreatment or baseline outcome measurement is compared 
with a post treatment measure, the treatment would then be stopped 
for a period of time; a second baseline measure of the outcome would 
be taken, followed by a second application of the treatment or a 
different treatment. A multiple baseline design addresses concerns 
about the effects of normal development, timing of the treatment, 
and amount of the treatment with treatment-reversal designs by using 
a varying time schedule for introduction of the treatment and/or 
treatments of different lengths or intensity.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 41492]]

    Moderate evidence means evidence from previous studies whose 
designs can support causal conclusions (i.e., studies with high 
internal validity) but have limited generalizability (i.e., moderate 
external validity), or studies with high external validity but moderate 
internal validity. The following would constitute moderate evidence:
    (1) At least one well-designed and well-implemented experimental or 
quasi-experimental study supporting the effectiveness of the practice, 
strategy, or program, with small sample sizes or other conditions of 
implementation or analysis that limit generalizability;
    (2) At least one well-designed and well-implemented experimental or 
quasi-experimental study that does not demonstrate equivalence between 
the intervention and comparison groups at program entry but that has no 
other major flaws related to internal validity; or
    (3) Correlational research with strong statistical controls for 
selection bias and for discerning the influence of internal factors.
    National non-profit arts education organization means an 
organization of national scope that is supported by staff or affiliates 
at the State and local levels and that has a demonstrated history of 
advancing high-quality arts education and arts integration for arts 
educators, education leaders, artists, and students through 
professional development, partnerships, educational programming, and 
systemic school reform.
    Quasi-experimental study means an evaluation design that attempts 
to approximate an experimental study (as defined in this notice) and 
can support causal conclusions (i.e., minimizes threats to internal 
validity, such as selection bias, or allows them to be modeled). Well-
designed and well-implemented (as defined in this notice) quasi-
experimental studies (as defined in this notice) include carefully 
matched comparison group designs (as defined in this notice), 
interrupted time series designs (as defined in this notice), or 
regression discontinuity designs (as defined in this notice).
    Regression discontinuity design study means, in part, a quasi-
experimental study (as defined in this notice) design that closely 
approximates an experimental study (as defined in this notice). In a 
regression discontinuity design, participants are assigned to a 
treatment or comparison group based on a numerical rating or score of a 
variable unrelated to the treatment such as the rating of an 
application for funding. Another example would be assignment of 
eligible students, teachers, classrooms, or schools above a certain 
score (``cut score'') to the treatment group and assignment of those 
below the score to the comparison group.
    Strong evidence means evidence from previous studies whose designs 
can support causal conclusions (i.e., studies with high internal 
validity), and studies that in total include enough of the range of 
participants and settings to support scaling up to the State, regional, 
or national level (i.e., studies with high external validity). The 
following are examples of strong evidence:
    (1) More than one well-designed and well-implemented (as defined in 
this notice) experimental study (as defined in this notice) or well-
designed and well-implemented (as defined in this notice) quasi-
experimental study (as defined in this notice) that supports the 
effectiveness of the practice, strategy, or program; or
    (2) One large, well-designed and well-implemented randomized 
controlled, multisite trial that supports the effectiveness of the 
practice, strategy, or program.
    Well-designed and well-implemented means, with respect to an 
experimental or quasi-experimental study (as defined in this notice), 
that the study meets the What Works Clearinghouse evidence standards, 
with or without reservations (see https://ies.ed.gov/ncee/wwc/references/idocviewer/doc.aspx?docid=19&tocid=1 and in particular the 
description of ``Reasons for Not Meeting Standards'' at https://ies.ed.gov/ncee/wwc/references/idocviewer/Doc.aspx?docId=19&tocId=4#reasons.
    Waiver of Proposed Rulemaking: Under the Administrative Procedure 
Act (5 U.S.C. 553) the Department generally offers interested parties 
the opportunity to comment on proposed priorities, selection criteria, 
definitions, and other requirements. Section 437(d)(1) of GEPA, 
however, allows the Secretary to exempt from rulemaking requirements, 
regulations governing the first grant competition under a new or 
substantially revised program authority. This is the first grant 
competition for the Arts in Education National Program under section 
5551 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended 
(20 U.S.C. 7271), and therefore qualifies for this exemption. In order 
to ensure timely grant awards, the Secretary has decided to forgo 
public comment on the priorities, selection criteria, definitions, and 
other requirements under section 437(d)(1) of GEPA. These priorities, 
selection criteria, definitions, and other requirements will apply to 
the FY 2011 grant competition only.
    Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 7271.
    Applicable Regulations: The Education Department General 
Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) in 34 CFR Parts 74, 75, 77, 79, 80, 
81, 82, 84, 85, 86, 97, 98, and 99.

II. Award Information

    Type of Award: Discretionary grants.
    Estimated Available Funds: $6,654,000.
    Estimated Number of Awards: 1.

    Note:  The Department is not bound by any estimates in this 
notice.


    Budget Period: 12 months.
    Project Period: Up to 36 months (subject to availability of funds).

    Note: The applicant should propose to use the entire amount of 
available funds ($6,654,000) during the twelve month budget period. 
If additional funds subsequently become available, we may make 
continuation awards.

III. Eligibility Information

    1. Eligible Applicants: A national non-profit arts education 
organization.
    2.a. Cost Sharing or Matching: This program does not require cost 
sharing or matching.
    b. Supplement-Not-Supplant: This program involves supplement-not-
supplant funding requirements. Under section 5551(f)(2) of the ESEA, 
the Secretary requires that assistance provided under this program be 
used only to supplement, and not to supplant, any other assistance or 
funds made available from non-Federal sources for the activities 
assisted under the program.
    c. Coordination Requirement: Under section 5551(f)(1) of the ESEA, 
the Secretary requires that each entity funded under this program 
coordinate, to the extent practicable, each project or program carried 
out with funds awarded under this program with appropriate activities 
of public or private cultural agencies, institutions, and 
organizations, including museums, arts education associations, 
libraries, and theaters.

IV. Application and Submission Information

    1. Address to Request Application Package: Carolyn Warren, U.S. 
Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., Room 4W209, 
Washington, DC 20202-5900. Telephone: (202) 205-5443 or by e-mail: 
carolyn.warren@ed.gov.
    If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD), call the

[[Page 41493]]

Federal Relay Service (FRS), toll free, at 1-800-877-8339.
    Individuals with disabilities can obtain a copy of the application 
package in an accessible format (e.g., braille, large print, audiotape, 
or computer diskette) by contacting the program contact person listed 
in this section.
    2. Content and Form of Application Submission: Requirements 
concerning the content of an application, together with the forms you 
must submit, are in the application package for this competition.
    Page Limit: The application narrative (Part III of the application) 
is where you, the applicant, address the selection criteria that 
reviewers use to evaluate your application. We suggest you limit the 
application narrative (Part III) to no more than 50 pages, using the 
following standards:
     A ``page'' is 8.5'' x 11'', on one side only, with 1'' 
margins at the top, bottom, and both sides.
     Double space (no more than three lines per vertical inch) 
all text in the application narrative, including titles, headings, 
footnotes, quotations, references, and captions, as well as all text in 
charts, tables, figures, and graphs.
     Use a font that is either 12 point or larger or no smaller 
than 10 pitch (characters per inch).
     Use one of the following fonts: Times New Roman, Courier, 
Courier New, or Arial.
    3. Submission Dates and Times:
    Applications Available: July 14, 2011.
    Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: August 15, 2011.
    Applications for a grant under this competition must be submitted 
in paper format by mail or hand delivery. For information (including 
dates and times) about how to submit your application by mail or hand 
delivery, please refer to section IV.7. Other Submission Requirements 
of this notice.
    We do not consider an application that does not comply with the 
deadline requirements.
    Individuals with disabilities who need an accommodation or 
auxiliary aid in connection with the application process should contact 
the person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT in section VII 
of this notice. If the Department provides an accommodation or 
auxiliary aid to an individual with a disability in connection with the 
application process, the individual's application remains subject to 
all other requirements and limitations in this notice.
    4. Intergovernmental Review: This competition is subject to 
Executive Order 12372 and the regulations in 34 CFR part 79. 
Information about Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs under 
Executive Order 12372 is in the application package for this 
competition.
    5. Funding Restrictions: We reference regulations outlining funding 
restrictions in the Applicable Regulations section of this notice.
    6. Data Universal Numbering System Number, Taxpayer Identification 
Number, and Central Contractor Registry: To do business with the 
Department of Education, you must--
    a. Have a Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number and a 
Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN);
    b. Register both your DUNS number and TIN with the Central 
Contractor Registry (CCR), the Government's primary registrant 
database;
    c. Provide your DUNS number and TIN on your application; and
    d. Maintain an active CCR registration with current information 
while your application is under review by the Department and, if you 
are awarded a grant, during the project period.
    You can obtain a DUNS number from Dun and Bradstreet. A DUNS number 
can be created within one business day.
    If you are a corporate entity, agency, institution, or 
organization, you can obtain a TIN from the Internal Revenue Service. 
If you are an individual, you can obtain a TIN from the Internal 
Revenue Service or the Social Security Administration. If you need a 
new TIN, please allow 2-5 weeks for your TIN to become active.
    The CCR registration process may take five or more business days to 
complete. If you are currently registered with the CCR, you may not 
need to make any changes. However, please make certain that the TIN 
associated with your DUNS number is correct. Also note that you will 
need to update your CCR registration on an annual basis. This may take 
three or more business days to complete.
    7. Other Submission Requirements:
    Applications for grants under this program must be submitted in 
paper format by mail or hand delivery.
    a. Submission of Applications by Mail.
    If you submit your application by mail (through the U.S. Postal 
Service or a commercial carrier), you must mail the original and two 
copies of your application, on or before the application deadline date, 
to the Department at the following address: U.S. Department of 
Education, Application Control Center, Attention: (CFDA Number 351F), 
LBJ Basement Level 1, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20202-
4260.
    You must show proof of mailing consisting of one of the following:
    (1) A legibly dated U.S. Postal Service postmark.
    (2) A legible mail receipt with the date of mailing stamped by the 
U.S. Postal Service.
    (3) A dated shipping label, invoice, or receipt from a commercial 
carrier.
    (4) Any other proof of mailing acceptable to the Secretary of the 
U.S. Department of Education.
    If you mail your application through the U.S. Postal Service, we do 
not accept either of the following as proof of mailing:
    (1) A private metered postmark.
    (2) A mail receipt that is not dated by the U.S. Postal Service.
    If your application is postmarked after the application deadline 
date, we will not consider your application.

    Note: The U.S. Postal Service does not uniformly provide a dated 
postmark. Before relying on this method, you should check with your 
local post office.


    b. Submission of Applications by Hand Delivery.
    If you submit your application by hand delivery, you (or a courier 
service) must deliver the original and two copies of your application 
by hand, on or before the application deadline date, to the Department 
at the following address: U.S. Department of Education, Application 
Control Center, Attention: (CFDA Number 351F), 550 12th Street, SW., 
Room 7041, Potomac Center Plaza, Washington, DC 20202-4260.

The Application Control Center accepts hand deliveries daily between 
8:00 a.m. and 4:30:00 p.m., Washington, DC time, except Saturdays, 
Sundays, and Federal holidays.
    Note for Mail or Hand Delivery of Paper Applications: If you mail 
or hand deliver your application to the Department--
    (1) You must indicate on the envelope and--if not provided by the 
Department--in Item 11 of the SF 424 the CFDA number, including suffix 
letter, if any, of the competition under which you are submitting your 
application; and
    (2) The Application Control Center will mail to you a notification 
of receipt of your grant application. If you do not receive this 
notification within 15 business days from the application deadline 
date, you should call the U.S. Department of Education Application 
Control Center at (202) 245-6288.

V. Application Review Information

    1. Selection Criteria: We will use four selection criteria to 
evaluate

[[Page 41494]]

applications for this competition. Selection criteria (1) Significance, 
(2) Quality of the project design, and (3) Quality of project services 
are established in this notice pursuant to section 437(d)(1) of GEPA, 
as explained in the Waiver of Proposed Rulemaking section of this 
notice. Selection criterion (4) Quality of the project evaluation is 
from 34 CFR 75.210.
    The maximum score for each criterion is indicated in parentheses. 
The maximum score for all of the selection criteria is 100 points. The 
total maximum score of an application is 110 points (100 points under 
the selection criteria and an additional 10 points under the 
competitive preference priority). Each criterion also includes the 
factors that the reviewers will consider in determining how well an 
application meets the criterion. The notes following the selection 
criteria are provided as guidance to help applicants in preparing their 
applications, and are not required by statute or regulations.
    The selection criteria are as follows:
    (1) Significance (20 points). The Secretary considers the 
significance of the proposed project. In determining the significance 
of the proposed project, the Secretary considers the following factors:
    (a) The national significance of the proposed project.
    (b) The extent to which the proposed project is likely to build 
local capacity to provide, improve, or expand services that address the 
needs of children and youth, with special emphasis on serving students 
from low-income families and students with disabilities.
    (c) The extent to which the applicant has a history of three or 
more years of demonstrated excellence in the areas of arts education 
and arts integration on a national scale.
    (2) Quality of the project design (40 points). The Secretary 
considers the quality of the design of the proposed project. In 
determining the quality of the design of the proposed project, the 
Secretary considers the following factors:
    (a) The extent to which the design of the proposed project is 
appropriate to, and will successfully address, the needs of pre-
kindergarten-through-grade-12 children and youth, with special emphasis 
on serving students from low-income families and students with 
disabilities.
    (b) The extent to which the proposed project will provide high-
quality professional development for pre-kindergarten-through-grade-12 
arts educators and other staff who provide instruction in music, dance, 
drama, media arts, or visual arts, including folk arts.
    (c) The extent to which the proposed project will develop and 
disseminate instructional materials, including online resources, in 
multiple arts disciplines for arts educators and other instructional 
staff.
    (d) The extent to which the proposed project will support arts-
based educational programming.
    (e) The extent to which the proposed project will provide community 
and national outreach.
    (3) Quality of project services (20 points). The Secretary 
considers the quality of the services to be provided by the proposed 
project. In determining the quality of the services to be provided by 
the proposed project, the Secretary considers the following factors:
    (a) The extent to which the services to be provided by the proposed 
project involve the collaboration of appropriate partners in order to 
maximize the effectiveness of project services.
    (b) The extent to which the proposed project will provide services 
and initiatives that will reach students and educators in multiple 
schools, school districts, and communities throughout the country.
    (4) Quality of the project evaluation (20 points). The Secretary 
considers the quality of the evaluation to be conducted of the proposed 
project. In determining the quality of the evaluation, the Secretary 
considers the following factors:
    (a) The extent to which the methods of evaluation include the use 
of objective performance measures that are clearly related to the 
intended outcomes of the project and will produce quantitative and 
qualitative data to the extent possible.
    (b) The extent to which the methods of evaluation will provide 
performance feedback and permit periodic assessment of progress toward 
achieving intended outcomes.

    Note: A strong evaluation plan should be included in the 
application narrative and should be used, as appropriate, to shape 
the development of the project from the beginning of the grant 
period. The evaluation plan should include benchmarks to monitor 
progress toward specific project objectives and also outcome 
measures to assess the impact on teaching and learning, or other 
important outcomes for project participants. More specifically, the 
plan should identify the individual or organization that has agreed 
to serve as evaluator for the project and describe the 
qualifications of that evaluator. The plan should describe the 
evaluation design, indicating: (1) What types of data will be 
collected; (2) when various types of data will be collected; (3) 
what methods will be used; (4) what instruments will be developed 
and when these instruments will be developed; (5) how data will be 
analyzed; (6) when reports of results and outcomes will be 
available; and (7) how the applicant will use the information 
collected through the evaluation to monitor progress of the funded 
project and to provide accountability information both about success 
at the initial site and about effective strategies for replication 
in other settings. Applicants are encouraged to devote an 
appropriate level of resources to project evaluation.


    2. Review and Selection Process: We remind potential applicants 
that in reviewing applications in any discretionary grant competition, 
the Secretary may consider, under 34 CFR 75.217(d)(3), the past 
performance of the applicant in carrying out a previous award, such as 
the applicant's use of funds, achievement of project objectives, and 
compliance with grant conditions. The Secretary may also consider 
whether the applicant failed to submit a timely performance report or 
submitted a report of unacceptable quality.
    In addition, in making a competitive grant award, the Secretary 
also requires various assurances including those applicable to Federal 
civil rights laws that prohibit discrimination in programs or 
activities receiving Federal financial assistance from the Department 
of Education (34 CFR 100.4, 104.5, 106.4, 108.8, and 110.23).
    3. Special Conditions: Under 34 CFR 74.14 and 80.12, the Secretary 
may impose special conditions on a grant if the applicant or grantee is 
not financially stable; has a history of unsatisfactory performance; 
has a financial or other management system that does not meet the 
standards in 34 CFR Parts 74 or 80, as applicable; has not fulfilled 
the conditions of a prior grant; or is otherwise not responsible.

VI. Award Administration Information

    1. Award Notices: If your application is successful, we notify your 
U.S. Representative and U.S. Senators and send you a Grant Award 
Notification (GAN). We may notify you informally, also.
    If your application is not evaluated or not selected for funding, 
we notify you.
    2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements: We identify 
administrative and national policy requirements in the application 
package and reference these and other requirements in the Applicable 
Regulations section of this notice.
    We reference the regulations outlining the terms and conditions of 
an award in the Applicable Regulations section of this notice and 
include these and other specific conditions in the GAN. The

[[Page 41495]]

GAN also incorporates your approved application as part of your binding 
commitments under the grant.
    3. Reporting: (a) If you apply for a grant under this competition, 
you must ensure that you have in place the necessary processes and 
systems to comply with the reporting requirements in 2 CFR Part 170 
should you receive funding under the competition. This does not apply 
if you have an exception under 2 CFR 170.110(b).
    (b) At the end of your project period, you must submit a final 
performance report, including financial information, as directed by the 
Secretary. If you receive a multi-year award, you must submit an annual 
performance report that provides the most current performance and 
financial expenditure information as directed by the Secretary under 34 
CFR 75.118. The Secretary may also require more frequent performance 
reports under 34 CFR 75.720(c). For specific requirements on reporting, 
please go to https://www.ed.gov/fund/grant/apply/appforms/appforms.html.
    4. Performance Measures: Under the Government Performance and 
Results Act of 1993 (GPRA), the Secretary has established four 
performance measures to assess the effectiveness of this program. 
Projects funded under this competition will be expected to collect and 
report to the Department data related to these measures. Applications 
should, but are not required to, discuss in the application narrative 
how they propose to collect these data. The four GPRA performance 
measures are: (1) The total number of students who participate in 
standards-based arts education sponsored by the grantee; (2) the number 
of teachers participating in the grantee's program who receive 
professional development that is sustained and intensive; (3) the total 
number of students from low-income families who participate in 
standards-based arts education sponsored by the grantee; and (4) the 
total number of students with disabilities who participate in 
standards-based arts education sponsored by the grantee.
    5. Continuation Awards: In making a continuation award, the 
Secretary may consider, under 34 CFR 75.253, the extent to which a 
grantee has made ``substantial progress toward meeting the objectives 
in its approved application.'' This consideration includes the review 
of a grantee's progress in meeting the targets and projected outcomes 
in its approved application, and whether the grantee has expended funds 
in a manner that is consistent with its approved application and 
budget. In making a continuation grant, the Secretary also considers 
whether the grantee is operating in compliance with the assurances in 
its approved application, including those applicable to Federal civil 
rights laws that prohibit discrimination in programs or activities 
receiving Federal financial assistance from the Department (34 CFR 
100.4, 104.5, 106.4, 108.8, and 110.23).

VII. Agency Contact

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Carolyn Warren, U.S. Department of 
Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., Room 4W209, Washington, DC 20202-
5950. Telephone: (202) 205-5443 or by e-mail: carolyn.warren@ed.gov.
    If you use a TDD, call the FRS, toll free, at 1-800-877-8339.

VIII. Other Information

    Accessible Format: Individuals with disabilities can obtain this 
document and a copy of the application package in an accessible format 
(e.g., braille, large print, audiotape, or computer diskette) on 
request to the program contact person listed under FOR FURTHER 
INFORMATION CONTACT in section VII of this notice.
    Electronic Access to This Document: The official version of this 
document is the document published in the Federal Register. Free 
Internet access to the official edition of the Federal Register and the 
Code of Federal Regulations is available via the Federal Digital System 
at: https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys. At this site you can view this document, 
as well as all other documents of this Department published in the 
Federal Register, in text or Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF). To 
use PDF you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is available free at 
the site.
    You may also access documents of the Department published in the 
Federal Register by using the article search feature at: https://www.federalregister.gov. Specifically, through the advanced search 
feature at this site, you can limit your search to documents published 
by the Department.

    Dated: July 11, 2011.
James H. Shelton, III,
Assistant Deputy Secretary for Innovation and Improvement.
[FR Doc. 2011-17756 Filed 7-13-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P